The Standard
Vol. 5, Issue No. 7
Members,

There are several events this week and in the coming weeks in the Permian Basin that you might want to have on your calendar! In this version of the Standard, we wanted to make sure to note a few of particular interest to the PBPA community. You will also find a few updates on other PBPA activities and efforts conducted by the PBPA staff on your behalf.

PBPA Events & Actions

  • Annual Clay Shoot & Pit King Challenge
  • Committee Meetings
  • Critical Infrastructure Update

Regulatory News

  • RRC Injection & Storage of CO2 Update
  • RRC Regulatory Conference

Community Events

  • MOTRAN: Crypto Luncheon
  • Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers Event
  • MCRW Luncheon
  • Environmental Regulatory Seminar
  • Midland College PPDC Training Courses
  • Pipeline and Transportation Resiliency Summit

Regards,

Ben Shepperd
The PBPA Clay Shoot and Pit King Challenge is back! We are thrilled to once again bring our members a one of a kind day out at the range.

Join us at Jake's Guns and Clays on June 10th for the 2022 PBPA Sporting Clay Shoot & Oil Patch Pit King Challenge. Come find out how you and the BBQ stacks up against the competition.

Sponsorships and Registration are now available!
Upcoming PBPA Committee Meetings

  • Health, Safety and Environment Committee May 10, 2022
  • Regulatory Practices Committee Meeting, May 17, 2022

For more information on these or any of our other committees, please contact Stephen Robertson at stephen@pbpa.info or (432) 684-6345.
Critical Infrastructure Update

This week, PBPA met with staff at the Railroad Commission of Texas for an update on the mapping of the natural gas/electric supply chain map and other rules that the Commission is currently contemplating as required by the Texas Legislature’s adoption of SB 3 (87R).
 
As you may have heard on Friday, the RRC as part of The Texas Electricity Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee (TESCSMC), adopted the first “Supply Chain Map” which, according to the release “has more than 65,000 facilities including electricity generation plants powered by natural gas, electrical substations, natural gas processing plants, underground gas storage facilities, oil and gas well leases, saltwater disposal wells, as well as more than 21,000 miles of gas transmission pipelines and approximately 60,000 miles of power transmission lines.” You may read the full release here.
 
As noted, the TESCSMC will also be meeting publicly to discuss the adoption of the map on May 31, 2022 and that meeting will be livestreamed here.
 
As we continue our discussion with the Commission about how to optimize the Critical Infrastructure Divisions efforts moving forward, we would also like to note that the RRC will be available to visit with operators on this specific issue during the upcoming RRC Regulatory Expo that will be held in Austin on August 8th and 9th of this year. More information about the Expo may be found here.
 
Thank you for all that you do and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
RRC Proposes Rule Changes to Help Implement Oversight
of Injection and Storage of Carbon Dioxide

On May 3, 2022, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) took a major step forward in its application process to gain primacy from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Class VI injection wells. The injection wells are used for underground storage of carbon dioxide from energy production, power generation or industrial sources.

RRC’s Commissioners approved the publishing of proposed amendments to the agency’s carbon dioxide rules for public comment. The proposed changes and other information will be sent to EPA as part of a pre-application for primacy and allow EPA a chance to start its review. If ultimately approved by the EPA, primacy would mean that operators would only need to apply with the RRC for Class VI permits rather than both agencies.

The proposed amendments would modify various sections of RRC rules, including those describing the applicability of the rules, application requirements, notice and hearing requirements, permit standards and reporting, recordkeeping and more.

Primacy allows the EPA to delegate its authority to states, provided they meet the federal government’s minimum standards.

To see the proposed changes to RRC’s Chapter 5 rules on carbon dioxide injection and to comment, visit the following webpage: https://rrc.texas.gov/general-counsel/rules/proposed-rules/.
Save the Dates — RRC Regulatory Conference:
Oil & Gas and Pipeline Safety

After temporarily being online for the past two years, the RRC is hosting its annual Regulatory Conference in person again!
 
Who:      Railroad Commission of Texas
What:     RRC Regulatory Conference: Oil & Gas and Pipeline Safety
When:    Monday, August 8 - Tuesday, August 9, 2022 (Early check in is Sunday, August 7)
Where:   AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center in Austin, Texas
 
This year’s conference will offer both Oil & Gas and Pipeline tracks covering a variety of topics.
 
Registration will open in early June. To view the event webpage, visit the RRC website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/organization-and-activities/activities/workshops-and-conferences/rrc-regulatory-conference/.
MOTRAN: Crypto Mining Luncheon

On May 4, 2022, 11:00 AM, at the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, MOTRAN will host a luncheon presentation on crypto currency mining in the Permian Basin. Speakers will go through the basics of crypto and bitcoin mining and talk about how these endeavors can benefit the Permian.
There is no charge to attend and lunch will be provided but we do ask for your RSVP to ensure we can plan accordingly.
You can RSVP by emailing James@motran.org or by phone to (432) 563-6240. 
While PBPA does not engage in political activity, we always want to make sure our members are aware of opportunities to get to know candidates or elected officials who could make decisions that impact operations in the Permian Basin. This is not an endorsement of any candidate or party.
Energy Panel at MCRW Luncheon

On May 11, 2022, PBPA's Stephen Robertson will join the Honorable Jason Isaac, Texas Public Policy Foundation, and Kevin Sparks, Republican nominee for Texas Senate District 31, in a panel discussion on current issues facing the energy industry at the Midland County Republican Women's (MCRW) May Luncheon.

This is a seated luncheon that requires an RSVP, however, non-members of MCRW are welcome to join. Reservations are requested to be made by noon on Monday, May 9, 2022, by clicking here.
2022 PB Environmental Regulatory Seminar

The Midland College Petroleum Professional Development Center (PPDC) and the PBPA proudly present the annual Permian Basin Environmental Regulatory Seminar (PBERS). This seminar is a proactive approach for oil and gas industry professionals to keep current on the most recent environmental regulations and policy changes. This important one-day seminar will focus on the latest state & federal regulatory updates and their operational impacts on the petroleum industry. A highlight of the event will be the presentation of the Bruno Hanson Midland College Environmental Excellence Award to a Permian Basin operator.

The 2022 PBERS will be held on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at the Midland College Carrasco Room. To register for the event, please go to this website https://mcce.midland.edu; for information on sponsorships, please contact Erin Van Evera-Welch with the PPDC at (432) 683-2832, evaneverawelch@midland.edu.


Other PPDC Programs

MC PPDC provides quality training programs designed to keep oil and gas industry professionals current in their areas of expertise by offering the latest industry updates, as well as providing timely and pertinent educational opportunities. Click the below links for upcoming classes being offered by the MC PPDC in the coming months.

All classes are held in-person at the PPDC unless designated “online” in the course description.